Package



Nov. 6, 1962 D. P. REYNOLDS 3,062,373

PACKAGE Filed Oct. 28, 1958 s SheetS -Sheet 1 INVENTOR.

2o DAV/D P REYNOLDS BY h K,

Nov. 6, 1962 REYNOLDS 3,062,373

PACKAGE Filed Oct. 28, 1958 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. DAV/D P REYNOLDS962 D. P. REYNOLDS 3,062,373

PACKAGE Filed Oct. 28, 1958 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 IN VEN TOR. DAV/D F? PEYNOLDS Patented Nov. 6, 1962 3,062,373 PACKAGE David P. Reynolds,Richmond, Va., assignor to Reynolds Metals Company, Richmond, Va., acorporation of Delaware Filed Oct. 28, 1958, Ser. No. 775,090 9 Claims.(Cl. 206-65) This invention relates to an improved package and to aprocess for forming the same. More especially, it relates to thebundling of three or more articles, each having an externalconfiguration which normally entails a minimum of frictional contactbetween the separate articles. The invention is particularly useful inthe forming of a handleable package containing a plurality of uniformlyshaped cylindrical articles, although, in its roader aspects, articleshaving other geometric shapes may be employed.

Many arrangements for providing a handleable package of such articleshave been proposed heretofore, but, as far as I am aware, all suchpackages have possessed certain disadvantages which it is among theobjects of my invention to overcome. For example, a filled cylindricaljar or can comprises appreciable mass and unless the can is confinedrigidly in the package, rotational or axial slippage of the same, withrespect to its companion cans, will occur during handling. Moreover,after the conventional package of cans is once formed, subsequent heattreatment of the contents of the cans, such as pasteurization,tempering, or the like, normally is impracticable.

One object of the invention is to provide an improved handleable packageof three or more articles reinforced against mutual shifting of theirposition.

Another object is to provide an improved package which may be subjectedto heat treatment during and after being formed.

Another object is to provide an improved process of forming a handleablepackage containing three or more similarly shaped cylindrical articles.

A further object is to provide an improved process for simultaneouslyforming a package of separate containers while subjecting the contentsof the containers to heat treatment.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent as the descriptionproceeds when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawingsshowing a presently preferred form of package.

' In the drawings,

FIG. 1 is a plan view of the package elements showing the relationshipof the same prior to completion of the packaging process;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the package elements shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a schematic view showing the package elements during theprocess of completing the package;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a deformable spacer element;

FIG. 5 is a partial sectional view taken on line 55 of FIG. 3; and

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the finished package.

In general, my invention comprises the arranging of a plurality ofseparate cylindrically shaped articles in a slightly separatedtangential relation to each other with the ends of the articles lying inspaced planes, and with each such article having peripherally disposedbeads adjacent the respective ends thereof; the interposition ofdeformable spacers between three or more contiguous articles with theends of such spacers in contact with the beads of the articles; theenwrapping of the outermost side of the thus arranged articles with aheat shrinkable band of material, and the heating of the band ofmaterial to draw the articles into tangential contact while deformingthe spacers into a scalloped form for frictional engagement withcontiguous articles intermediate the beads on those articles.

As an example, I have disclosed the invention as practiced in theforming of a generally rectangular package of six cylindrically shapedcans containing beer, but it will be understood that, by appropriatechoice of spacer size and number, a triangular package of three cans, apentagonal package of five cans, or other geometric shapes using adifferent number of cans, may be employed equally well.

Referring first to FIG. 1, six cans indicated at 10, 11, 12, 13, i4 and15 and two spacers 16 and 17 may be grouped by a suitable jigarrangement, not shown. An endless band of heat shrinkable material 18may then be slipped endwise over the thus grouped cans to provide thepreliminary package arrangement or bundle, as seen in FIGS. 1 and 2.Preferably, the width of said band is at least one half the length ofthe cans and, when employed with cans containing high specific gravitycontents, may be equal to or greater than the distance be tween thebeads of the cans.

Each can, which, for example, may be of aluminum, is provided with aperipheral upper head 19 and a peripheral lower bead 20 as formed byconventional can manufacturing techniques.

Interposed between the beads of each can, and with its ends in contacttherewith, as best seen in FIG. 5 is at least one deformable spacermember. In general, I prefer to employ ahollow tubular spacer memberformed from suitably treated paper board or the like, although a solidrod of spacer material may be used. Use of a hollow spacer isparticularly advantageous in providing for carrying of the finishedpackage, as will later appear. The spacer preferably is adapted toresiliently deform as in FIGS. 3 and 6, to withstand substantialtemperatures, and to withstand moisture. The spacer may contain an outercoating of material which softens during heat shrinking, or otherwiseadheres to'the surface of the cans. This material may completely coverthe outer surface of the spacer and protect the spacer from heat andmoisture or may be formed in longitudinal strips 21 as noted on spacer16 in FIG. 4. Any conventional adhesive material or impregnatingmaterial for the deformable spacer may be used as, for example, a wax,parafiin or the like which will give a bond to metal or glass sufficientfor the packaging usage, and will protect a paperboard spacer, it beingunderstood that the precise adhesive coating forms no essential part ofmy invention.

By the same token, the endless band 18 may be formed from any suitableheat-shrinkable material, provided it adequately possesses thecharacteristics of high shrinkage force, flexibility, resistance tostretching, and strength. In addition, in carrying out the inventionwith heat processing of the contents of the cans, the band 18 shouldpossess the additional characteristics of ability to withstand thetemperatures used in such processing. Materials such as the filmdisclosed in McCoy Patent 2,168,- 651 and the polyethylene terephthalatefilm disclosed in Michel Patent 2,762,720 may be utilized for band 18.

With the elements of the package positioned as thus described and asshown in FIG. 1, band 18 is heated by any suitable means and promptlybegins to shrink, thus causing its periphery to diminish. At the sametime, the band exerts a compression force on the confined articles andthe confined spacer or spacers, resulting in the formation of a rigidpackage. As this occurs, the several cans are pulled into tangentialcontact with each other and spacers 16 and 17 are deformed into aconcave scalloped configuration in contact with the adjacent cans. Theadhesive material on the spacers accordingly embraces a substantialsurface area of the sides of the cans, thus increasing the frictionalresistance against relative rotation of one can with respect to anotheralong the can axis. At the same time, the ends of the spacers, as seenin FIG. 5, firmly anchor against beads and 20 on the cans and thusassist in preventing axial slippage of one can with respect to another.One advantage of having spacers 16 and 17 of an initial size sufiicientto space the cylindrical articles slightly apart and requiringdeformation (as seen in FIG. 1), is the resulting self-seating actionwhich occurs as the band 18 begins to shrink. As the beads 19 and 24) ofthe respective cans are pulled into tangential contact with each otherand as the spacer deforms and its adhesive surface contacts the adjacentcans, a final package of improved rigidity results, due to theself-seating action of those cans and which is not obtained when asmaller non-deformable spacer is employed.

Any suitable means for heating the band 18 may be employed. The entireassembly may be immersed in a hot medium, such as steam or hot water, aswhen pasteurization or other heat treatment of the contents of the canis desired; the band may be uniformly heated by relative motion withrespect thereto of a nozzle 22 directing a heating medium upon the handwithout substantial application of heat to the cans; or heat may beapplied directly to the cans which, in turn, heat the band 18 byconduction or radiation.

When heated sufliciently, the band 18 contracts as above described and arigid handleable package is formed. Merely as an example, when employingsix contiguous beer cans each having a diameter of about 2% inches, twospacers having an initial diameter of about 1 /2 inches are used andafter deformation the spacers still retain a minimum diameter of about1% inches. As seen in FIG. 6, the open ends of the deformed spacerstherefore provide a convenient opening for grasping the finished packagewith the thumb and fingers of one hand. It is also a feature of myinvention, that an inexpensive, conventional carrying frame (not shown)may be readily attached to the finished package. Such a frame, which iswell known, comprises a handle portion and depending legs which extendlengthwise through spacers 16 and 17, being fastened at the base ofthose spacers.

The band 18, when formed of the material disclosed in said Michel patentis transparent. Accordingly, advertising or makers identificationsymbols appearing on the surfaces of the cans remain visible in thefinished package.

As many widely different embodiments of my invention may be made withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the same, it is understood thatthe invention is not limited except as defined in the appended claims.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the UnitedStates is:

l. A heat-treated rigid package comprising three or more cylindricallyshaped separate articles, each article being in peripheral contact withat least two adjacent articles, a deformed, tubular spacer of scallopedtransverse configuration in frictional engagement with the innermostadjacent peripheral portions of three or more of said articles and aband of heat shrunken material in contact with the outermost peripheralportions of each of said articles exerting a compression force upon saidarticles and said spacer and causing said spacer to assume and retainsaid scalloped configuration thereby to nest said articles in contactwith each other.

2. A heat-treated rigid package comprising three or more cylindricallyshaped separate articles, each article having a peripheral bead adjacenteach end thereof and each article being in peripheral contact with atleast two adjacent articles at said beads thereof, a deformed tubularspacer of scalloped transverse configuration having its ends in contactwith the beads of and its sides in contact with the sides of three ormore of said articles, and a band of heat shrunken material in contactwith the outermost peripheral portions of each of said articles betweenthe beads thereof exerting a compression force upon said articles andsaid spacer, and causing said spacer to assume and retain said scallopedconfiguration thereby to nest said articles in contact with each other.

3. A rigid package comprising three or more cylindrically shapedseparate articles, each article being in peripheral contact with atleast two adjacent articles, a deformed spacer of scalloped transverseconfiguration in frictional engagement with the innermost peripheralportions of three or more of said articles, and a band of heat shrunkenmaterial in contact with the outermost peripheral portions of each ofsaid articles exerting a compression force upon said articles and saidspacer and causing said spacer to assume and retain said scallopedconfiguration thereby to nest said articles in contact with each other.

4. A relatively rigid package comprising: three or more substantiallyidentical separate articles having cylindraceous sides and with endslying substantially in two parallel planes; a band of heat shrunkenmaterial encompassing and lying between said planes and in intimatecontact with the outermost peripheral portions of said sides of saidarticles and exerting a compression force upon said articles to maintainsaid articles in compressed intimate proximity to each other; and hollowmeans between the sides of three or more of said article accessible andof a size to receive a finger of the human hand between the sides ofsaid articles for moving said package.

5. A relatively rigid package comprising: three or more substantiallyidentical separate articles having cylindraceous sides and with endslying substantially in two parallel planes; a band of heat shrunkenmaterial encompassing and lying between said planes and in intimatecontact with the outermost peripheral portions of said sides of saidarticles and exerting a compression force upon said articles to maintainsaid articles in compressed intimate proximity to each other; and hollowmeans between the sides of two groups each of three or more of saidarticles accessible and of a size to receive two fingers of a human handbetween the sides of said articles for moving said package.

6. In combination, at least three separate cylindraceous articles eachhaving outwardly extending top and bottom peripheral rims, each articlehaving its peripheral rims in intimate peripheral contact with theperipheral rims of. two adjacent articles, a deformable spacer disposedbetween said articles and being in contact with said articles, saidspacer being disposed between said articles and having opposed endsengaging the inboard surfaces of said top and bottom rims of saidarticles to prevent axial movement therebetween, and heat shrinkablemeans surrounding said articles and causing said articles to deform saidspacer whereby said heat shrinkage means and said deformed spacer exertforces against said articles to hold said articles in fixed positionsrelative to each other.

7. A combination as set forth in claim 6 wherein said spacer is securedto said articles.

8. A combination as set forth in claim 6 wherein said spacer is adaptedto receive a finger for lifting said articles as an integral unit.

9. A combination as set forth in claim 6 wherein said spacer is tubular.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS2,331,762 Brown Oct. 12, 1943 6 Holmberg July 28, 1953 Johnson et al May4, 1954 Manners Aug. 14, 1956 Demarest Apr. 30, 1957 Gill Apr. 15, 1958Bruce Dec. 16, 1958 FOREIGN PATENTS Great Britain July 12, 1937

